How does Valve select TF2 Maps?
A view into Valve's relationship with the Team Fortress 2 Mapping Community
TF2Maps, a major hub for Team Fortress 2 mappers, published two blog posts that reveal how Valve selects TF2 maps.
Valve employee, Eric Smith, said TF2 developers look through the entire workshop when picking maps and don't just pick the Trending entries.
The blog post stated that Valve will also run internal playtests on TF2 maps with level designers and artists to get feedback.
“A lot of what they look for in a map is how fun it is to play, and whether or not it does something interesting to stand out,” TF2 Mapper Stuffy360 wrote in a blog post.
Once Valve chose a map, it will send out an email to everyone credited on the map's workshop page, according to the TF2Maps blog post. This email is sent at least a week before a TF2 update drops and includes details about "the revenue breakdown."
“Indeed in the Steam Subscriber Agreement that you must agree to as part of this process; you are agreeing to not share the details of your revenue, ever,” TF2 Mapper Zeus wrote in the blog post.
The blog post stated that each contributor to the map will have to respond to the email individually, either saying something like "Yes, I accept." or "No, I don't want this map in the update."
Then, Valve will send out a second email with "exact instructions [for the mappers]... and how to upload the files to Valve.”
TF2 mappers have about 1-2 weeks before Valve wants the map files. This time is used to find bugs and polish the map.
Each contributor to the map will also have to figure out how to split up credit. Once a map is uploaded to Valve, a map contributor can still send updates to the map. However, it takes time for Valve to implement the update.
“Valve tends to collect/bundle updates and release them all at once,” Zeus wrote. “Mappers have reported waiting months for their map update to finally get shipped.”
"This just needs to be something that represents the map in a small size; could be a simple map screenshot of an iconic part of the map, or the map with a mascot on it,” TF2 Mapper Zeus wrote.
Sources:
https://blog.tf2maps.net/so-you-got-a-map-email/
https://blog.tf2maps.net/a-chat-with-eric-at-valve-hq/